Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

November 2023

• ISBN: 9780008579593
• ISBN 10: 0008579598
• Imprint: HarperCollins GB
• RRP: $29.99

Oh yes, I know it’s taken me some time to get to this one, but it was quite deliberate. I’d heard a lot about it – though I haven’t read any actual reviews. I knew it was going to be profound and powerful, and I wanted to not just read it and then write a review, but read it, consider it, reflect on it, try to even live it – and then write my review.

Interestingly, during that period of time, philosophy became a topic of conversation between myself and our wonderful friend, Mr Surfer. So, essentially, this book then became a significant read as it attempts to express the creator’s thoughts on humanity thus far, and hopes for our future. So to my mind this is, in fact, a philosophy book – beautifully illustrated and simply told, but full of insight into the human condition, looking back at our ‘progress’ to this moment in time, but also daring to look forward with optimism, wonder and a poetic take on life’s big questions.

Jeffers himself says that this ‘one of the most important projects I’ve worked on’ and in the back matter, he has composed a very literate and insightful essay detailing his motivation, his reflections on past history (his own and in general), personal thoughts and intuitive hopes for a future that promises more. This I found, was just as engaging and fascinating as the actual illustrated pages.

It’s an unusual book for many reasons. Firstly, of course, because all Oliver’s books are quirky and different. In that sense, this one is no exception, although perhaps his distinctive art has taken a slightly even more subtle edge, with some sly humour woven throughout. It’s hardback format as a landscape A4 size is suggestive of a ‘coffee-table’ and, indeed, will be as such in many households. It is the sort of book that any casual visitor might pick up and browse, casually at first, but with an ever-increasing focus, as they become intrigued.

The creator says himself that it was written very intentionally with a wider audience (than his usual child one) in mind. Given his range of work – writing primarily for children, art directed at adults and sculptures for both – it’s unsurprising really that he should broaden his literary output as well. Certainly I know I’m not alone in being an adult who has relished each of his books so far, for both literary and artistic merit.

This one will sit as easily with your senior students as your younger classes. Particularly, you could very specifically use it in ethics, philosophy, Christian studies/Studies of Religion, Art or HASS subject specific classes. Above all, I would urge you to share it, discuss it, reflect on it, make suggestions, adopt some attitudes or stances as appropriate and, most of all, urge your readership to be kind – and hopeful. My highest recommendation for readers from around 8 to adult. I’m going to lend it to Mr Surfer, for further shared philosophical discussion but it will be one that stays on my shelf.

An Ode to Living on Earth – Oliver Jeffers TED Talk